Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of
Florida (for himself, Mr.
Olson, Mr. Grijalva,
Mr. Roskam,
Mr. Serrano,
Mr. Pence,
Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida,
and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform

RESOLUTION

Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and
celebrating the vast contributions of Hispanic-Americans to the strength and
culture of the United States.

Whereas from September 15, 2010, through October 15, 2010,
the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month;

Whereas the presence of Hispanics in North America
predates the founding of the United States, and, as among the first to settle
in the New World, Hispanics and their descendants have had a profound and
lasting influence on the history, values, and culture of the United
States;

Whereas since the arrival of the earliest Spanish settlers
more than 400 years ago, millions of Hispanic men and women have come to the
United States from Mexico, Cuba, and other Caribbean regions, Central America,
South America, and Spain, in search of freedom, peace, and opportunity;

Whereas Hispanic-Americans have contributed throughout the
ages to the prosperity and culture of the United States;

Whereas the Bureau of the Census now lists
Hispanic-Americans as the largest ethnic minority within the United States with
a population of 46,900,000, comprising 15 percent of the Nation’s total
population;

Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, 16 States
have at least a half-million Hispanic residents, including Arizona, California,
Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New
Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and
Washington;

Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, Hispanics
are the largest minority group in 20 States, including Arizona, California,
Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nebraska,
Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas,
Utah, Washington, and Wyoming;

Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, there are
1,600,000 Hispanic-owned businesses operating in areas including construction,
administrative and support, waste management and remediation services, and
retail and wholesale trade that generated $222,000,000,000 in revenue in 2002,
up 19 percent from 1997;

Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, the rate of
growth of Hispanic-owned businesses between 1997 and 2002 tripled to 31 percent
compared with the national average of 10 percent for all businesses;

Whereas Hispanic-Americans serve in all branches of the
United States Armed Forces and have fought valiantly in every war in the
history of the United States;

Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, there are
1,100,000 Hispanic veterans of the United States Armed Forces;

Whereas the Medal of Honor is the highest United States
military distinction, awarded since the Civil War for conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of
duty;

Whereas 43 men of Hispanic origin have earned this
distinction;

Whereas many Hispanic-Americans are dedicated public
servants, holding posts at the highest levels of government, including Cabinet
Secretaries, Members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the
Supreme Court; and

Whereas Hispanic-Americans have a deep commitment to
faith, family, and community, an enduring work ethic, and a perseverance to
succeed: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—

(1)

recognizes
Hispanic Heritage Month;

(2)

celebrates the
vast contributions of Hispanic-Americans to the strength and culture of the
United States; and

(3)

encourages the
people of the United States to observe Hispanic Heritage Month with appropriate
programs and activities.